Optocore AutoRouter User manual

OPTOCORE AUTOROUTER
Quick Start Guide
Rev. 1.0
Quick Start Guide for OPTOCORE AUTOROUTER
© Copyright 2019 All rights reserved
OPTOCORE GmbH
Lohenstr. 8
82166 Munich-Gräfelfing
Germany

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OPTOCORE AUTOROUTER
Quick Start Guide 3 / 8 rev. 1.0
Device description
Congratulations on your purchase of Optocore AutoRouter .
Optocore Autorouter is a plug-and-play solution that is ready to be used straight from the box. It does not require
any initial setup or configuration. It contains pre-programmed special firmware stored in the device. The firmware
is not related to any externally connected devices or their firmware. The firmware should only be changed after
prior consultation with the support team.
The main task performed by Optocore Autorouter is to transform fiber ring-based topology into the star, where
Optocore Autorouter is the central point. Optocore Autorouter automatically discovers all connected devices and
creates loop connectivity between them. Once a device is disconnected or powered down, Autorouter
immediately closes the loop with the remaining devices. It always discovers and switches the links automatically
to establish redundancy, without any user interaction – there is no need to control or change fiber patching by
user. Optocore Autorouter is an automatic intelligent patchbay that speeds up system layout and configuration for
any production. It can be used in the installation and live sound market, where mixed ring/star or star topology is
more desirable due to a star based fibre cable layout.
Optocore Autorouter is compatible with all major fiber-based ring systems: Optocore, Broaman, ProGrid
Optocore, DiGiCo Optocore, Yamaha TWINLANe and AVID AVB.
Device can be equipped with up to 40 duplex LC sockets what allows up to 20 different connections from different
locations, devices or device groups (sub-rings). Each device/location should be connected with two duplex fibers.
Optocore Autorouter is available in four different versions: Autorouter-5 (5 locations – 10 duplex LC connectors),
Autorouter-10 (10 locations – 20 duplex LC connectors), Autorouter-OAR-15 (15 locations – 30 duplex LC
connectors), Autorouter-20 (20 locations – 40 duplex LC connectors).
Each Optocore Autorouter port can be equipped with singlemode or multimode transceiver.
Please note:
Optocore Autorouter is transparent to the networks it routs and is not a part of the
network it operates.

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Quick Start Guide 4 / 8 rev. 1.0
Connecting Optocore Autorouter
The Optocore Autorouter automatically creates cross-points between all router ports connected to active devices
to form a closed fiber optic ring network.
While using Optocore Autorouter it is important to properly setup the fiber ring protocol before connecting via
Autorouter. It is recommended to test the standalone system before plugging it to Optocore Autorouter.
Two corresponding LC router ports starting with the odd port number creates the connection SLOT for a single
device fiber optic links (Autorouter port 1 & 2, Autorouter port 3 & 4 ... Autorouter port 39 & 40). It is
recommended to connect always port A of the external device to the odd Autorouter port in the SLOT and port B
to the even Autorouter port of the same SLOT (port naming might differ depending on the protocol, in some
protocols, i.e. Optocore, keeping this order is not required). Always both duplex fiber links from one
device/location must be connected to two neighbour router ports – to the same SLOT. Different connection than
described above may lead to incorrect Autorouter patching which won’t allow closing the loop between all
devices.
The router SLOTs do not need to be used consecutively, pair-wise router ports can be left blank, or the connected
devices can be switched off. Autorouter automatically discovers which slots are occupied and patches them will
all other occupied SLOTs.
Optocore Autorouter advanced port routing algorithm discovers which SLOTs are occupied and routes from the
first active even port to the next active odd port. The last active even port is patched then to the first odd which
closes the loop. Example: if devices are connected to SLOT 1 (ports 1,2), SLOT 4 (ports 7,8) and SLOT 8 (ports
15,16) Optocore Autorouter will patch with the following order: 2 -> 7, 8 -> 15, 16 -> 1. All inactive ports are
skipped. Once another device is added in SLOT 3 (ports 5,6) the Autorouter will reroute to: 2 -> 5, 6 -> 7, 8 -> 15,
16 -> 1. Routing action is very fast however it may affect network stability for a very short time – this depends on
the fiber ring protocol.
Optocore Autorouter – 10 Slots, 20 Duplex fiber ports.
Optocore Autorouter – 20 Slots, 40 Duplex fiber ports.

OPTOCORE AUTOROUTER
Quick Start Guide 5 / 8 rev. 1.0
Connection Examples – Optocore Autorouter
EXAMPLE 1
An example below shows a mix of Optocore and Digico devices connected to the central Optocore Autorouter.
Some devices connect directly to the Autorouter SLOTs. If part of the system layout is intended to work in the ring
topology, only the first and the last link of such sub-ring can connect to the single Autorouter SLOT (in this
example SLOT 7) – all devices in this sub-ring will be added to the main ring created by Autorouter. In the
example first 3 Router SLOTs provide connectivity for the remote device/devices. Whenever the external mobile
device is disconnected or moved to a different location, Autorouter will recognize it and automatically close the
loop with all active devices without leaving any open links – keeping the redundancy.
In this particular example remote stagebox is connected to Wall Box #1, which connects to SLOT 3 (ports 5,6).
SLOTs 1 and 2 are open (no active device connected). All fixed devices are connected to SLOT 5 (ports 9,10),
SLOT 6 (ports 11,12) and SLOT 8 (ports 15,16). Additionally a small sub-ring is connected to SLOT 7 (ports
13,14).
Optocore Autorouter will make the following cross-points: 6 -> 9, 10 -> 11, 12 -> 13, 14 -> 15, 16 -> 5.
If stagebox is moved to Wall Box #3, which connects to SLOT 1, the patching in Autorouter will change
automatically to: 2 -> 9, 10 -> 11, 12 -> 13, 14 -> 15, 16 -> 1.

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Quick Start Guide 6 / 8 rev. 1.0
EXAMPLE 2
The second example shows automatic operation with Yamaha TWINLANe protocol. The rules of connection are
similar to the one described in Example 1. Please note that due to Yamaha TWINLANe IN and OUT port layout
the connection to Autorouter odd and even ports should be done in proper order – all IN should be connected to
odd while all OUT should connect to even ports.
Optocore Autorouter patching in Example 2 will be exactly the same as in Example 1.

OPTOCORE AUTOROUTER
Quick Start Guide 7 / 8 rev. 1.0
EXAMPLE 3
AVID AVB connectivity is also supported by Optocore Autorouter, which is shown on the third example .
Connection scheme is similar as in Example 1. Here again the Autorouter connections should follow the proper
order for A and B ports in Avid – A to even, B to odd ports within a SLOT.
Optocore Autorouter patching in Example 3 will be exactly the same as in Example 1.

OPTOCORE AUTOROUTER
Quick Start Guide 8 / 8 rev. 1.0
Company Information
Mailing Address:
OPTOCORE GmbH
Lohenstr. 8
D-82166 Munich-Gräfelfing
Germany
Telephone:
+49 – (0)89 – 8999640
Facsimile:
+49 – (0)89 – 89996455
Internet:
www.optocore.com
Email: